Post by noisemaker2 on Feb 10, 2014 10:33:14 GMT -5
Holy crap you guys, it's race week! I'm filled with so many mixed emotions--a nervous dread is probably the most common, mixed with excitement and relief that it's finally here! Wheeee!!!! So, moving right along...
What marathon are you doing and when?
Highs and lows of this week?
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach?
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals?
Highs and lows of this week? Lows: I only ran twice for 11 miles total. There was so much going on, it was one of those weeks where choosing an extra hour of sleep was actually a better choice for my overall health.
Highs: I got a lot of long-standing obligations completed on my to-do list last week. This week can only get better.
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach?
Nope, still too far out to be feeling any pre-race jitters. My only goal is to finish, so not much riding on it anyway.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals?
Pizza is my usual pre-race dinner for halfs and fulls.
What marathon are you doing and when? Albany marathon - 3/1 (less than 3 weeks away)
Highs and lows of this week? High - ran 22 miles at 4:45am on a Thursday in 25 degree weather and finished it. Low - was supposed to do 10 miles yesterday and only got 6 in.
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I am still 3 weeks away so there is still a lot of excitement going on but the nerves do come around too. This is my first marathon so I don't know what to expect but I just remind myself, at the end of the day, no matter what happens, I will be a marathoner.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? My stomach has grown more sensitive after adding all these miles, so pre-race dinner is going to be carb heavy and white.
What marathon are you doing and when? Gov Cup 6/14 and Air Force Marathon 9/20
Highs and lows of this week? Well I thought running in 4 degrees was as low as I'd go out to run in last week, and then I went out Sat thinking it was warmer than it was. It was 1 degree! I was warm enough, but I took my dogs out for a mile just give them some exercise, but I wouldn't have taken them had I realized it was so cold.
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I feeling ok. I tend to get really excited about races. I feel like a kid at Christmas I did have moments leading up to my first marathon where I thought "What am I about to do??". But race morning, I was ready and excited!
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? Nothing in particular for pre-dinner. It varies. Pre-race habits including picking my outfit out weeks in advance and spending the week of the race obsessing over weather
What marathon are you doing and when? OKC Memorial Marathon, 4/27
Highs and lows of this week? I was in one heck of a running funk, guys. Like an "I'm not doing the marathon" funk. I need my average pace to be 10:16 or better for a PR, and it's been in the upper 11s/low 12s. I was supposed to do 7 miles last Wednesday, and put it off until Thurs. I did 2 miles and quit. So, I told my trainer that I was dropping out of the race. I didn't see the point of paying the money for a race I can't PR in (haven't registered yet), and I loathe half-assing training. I haven't had one run that was what it was supposed to be distance-wise in the past 2 weeks, and I haven't hit the right paces since Jan 17. She suggested that I do my long run with the local running club in a simulated race environment (complete with water stops!), and see how that made me feel. So I did. I was supposed to do 14 miles, but we had freezing fog all night, so the roads were very slick. We ended up running in the snowy grass at the end of people's yards or in the median. It was a terrible run, by most definitions. I cut it short to 8 miles because I was worried about injuring my knees or ankles. But, despite walking over every icy driveway, my pace was the best it's been in weeks. 11:05 isn't what I need it to be, but it was better. I had to ice my knees last night. I'm still unsure if I'll actually make it to the race, but I feel like I've gotten some motivation and feelings of capability back, which is what I needed. This week, I want to just do the miles that I'm supposed to, and maybe even enjoy them. We're going to be in the 60s next weekend, so my long run can be outside again.
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I haven't actually signed up yet, and I was feeling pretty dismal about it, but I think that the race is possible again.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? On the night before, I eat a metric ton of whole-wheat egg noodles. Sometimes I'll put marinara on them too lol. On the morning before a race (or long run over 10 miles), I will eat a turkey sandwich on a whole-wheat tortilla about 30 mins prior.. I'll eat some fuel chews (Bolt, I think? I can't remember the name) prior to starting. I like to lay out my clothes and pack my long run bag on the night before, because I have zero brain power in the morning and I'm super likely to forget something if it's not already out and waiting. I often have to put a post-it note by my fuel belt reminding me to eat the stupid sandwich.
Pre-race habits including picking my outfit out weeks in advance and spending the week of the race obsessing over weather
Ha! Sounds like we're on the same page here.
I've been known to pick out 3 different outfits just to cover any possibility. I start checking accuweather as soon as the race shows up in the 45 day forecast, and check it almost daily from then on out.
What marathon are you doing and when? Boston, April 21st.
Highs and lows of this week? I have only run once in the past 10 days It was an awful 7 miles. H has been out of town and I couldn't get a babysitter lined up. Poor planning on my part.
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I'm very nervous because my training has been poor. I have a 17 mile run this weekend that I'm so so nervous for. I'm going to run 6 today, 5 on Thursday, and then the 17 on Saturday. I will do 2 days of pilates/cross training too.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? Always pasta the night before. Oatmeal with PB the morning of. I always wear the same sports bra and shorts. And I always drink 2 large glasses of hot water so that I can go #2. ha!
Highs and lows of this week? I'm just hoping to bump up my mileage some. I had a good 10 miles Saturday & my cold is under control. So those would be my highs. The low -- it was 20 below again this morning. That's not supposed to still be happening in mid-Feb!!
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach?
I'm not nervous yet, but a week out I sure will be. Try to stay busy & focused with other stuff. I know it's hard though.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals?
Honestly, I usually eat a giant burger the night before a long race. I'm a big meat eater so I guess it works for me. Otherwise pizza or pasta is good. I've got no specific rituals or habits.
I have worn the same shorts for both of my marathons & had good races, so I'm already thinking whether I need to stick with them for this one.
Edit: Yes, I am nuts about checking weather the few weeks before race day too.
Holy crap you guys, it's race week! I'm filled with so many mixed emotions--a nervous dread is probably the most common, mixed with excitement and relief that it's finally here! Wheeee!!!! So, moving right along... Yay! So excited for you!
What marathon are you doing and when? Boston, 04/21
Highs and lows of this week? High: The 20 miler I was dreading was quite lovely despite weather in the low 20's (since that is the norm now). I managed a sub 8 pace fairly easily, and the last third was pretty darn close to MP. Low: I could only be excited about my long run for about 5 minutes before the post run knee pain kicked in. &^%^%$^%!!! I think it is the start of tendonitis. Luckily, it only hurts when I bend it :/
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I'm most nervous about leaving all the kids with MIL for the marathon. She's lovely, but I worry. I am nervous about my half this weekend though. I'm putting too much pressure on myself considering the obstacles lately. I need to let it go. It's just a run. Yeah...
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? I usually focus on a big lunch the day before. Something salty and carb-y. Maybe a lunch time beer. Then dinner is bland and boring.
cinco A 20 miler already? Oh man. I'm really far behind, although my attemt at 17 this upcoming Saturday isn't that far off. Do you mind sharing your training plan?
cinco A 20 miler already? Oh man. I'm really far behind, although my attemt at 17 this upcoming Saturday isn't that far off. Do you mind sharing your training plan?
It is early. I'm using a Pfitzinger 18/55 plan, and this was the first of three 20's. My last marathon plan was only 12 weeks, so I was still in the low teens at this point in training. My next 20 isn't until March.
cinco A 20 miler already? Oh man. I'm really far behind, although my attemt at 17 this upcoming Saturday isn't that far off. Do you mind sharing your training plan?
It is early. I'm using a Pfitzinger 18/55 plan, and this was the first of three 20's. My last marathon plan was only 12 weeks, so I was still in the low teens at this point in training. My next 20 isn't until March.
Thanks!!
I realize my first response sounded like I was judging you. I'm sorry, I really wasn't! I'm jealous of your long runs and wish my training was going better.
It is early. I'm using a Pfitzinger 18/55 plan, and this was the first of three 20's. My last marathon plan was only 12 weeks, so I was still in the low teens at this point in training. My next 20 isn't until March.
Thanks!!
I realize my first response sounded like I was judging you. I'm sorry, I really wasn't! I'm jealous of your long runs and wish my training was going better.
Don't worry, I didn't take it the wrong way It's been a rough winter with illnesses and weather, so I don't think anyones training is going as desired. I am taking the next couple weeks easy b/c of vacation and family stuff, and then trying to get in the zone in March. I was pretty ticked at Pfitz for making me do that 20 so early
What marathon are you doing and when? I am traing for LA and Fargo '14 (March 9, May 10)
Highs and lows of this week? Low is that I couldn't do my long run over the weekend. We got too much snow and freezing rain that it shut down the city. My gym was closed all weekend.
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I am good. LA is my 14th marathon so I know the drill. I always get a bit more butterflies in the stomach-y the week of the marathon.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? I like something light (simple grain and lots of veggies). I always lay out my running outfit on the chair or floor or bed; my mom and I call them our 'runing buddies'. It makes getting dressed in the morning super easy.
What marathon are you doing and when? Napa Valley Marathon, March 2
Highs and lows of this week? Highs: I finished my last super long run! Lows: My shins were achey
How are you feeling about your race? Any other nervous dread people out there, or am I alone with that pit in my stomach? I am completely 110% nervous. Nervous that I will eat the wrong thing, wear the wrong thing, fuel the wrong way, etc etc.
What's your favorite pre-race dinner? Any pre-race habits or rituals? I like a lean protein, usually fish. No habits or anything. Need to figure out how not to freak out!